Neighbour on holiday, is cat hungry?

snit_girl

my neighbour has a lovely wee cat who is always very friendly. He always walks over to us to say hello, we talk to him and pet him, thats all. He does this with others too.

I've noticed the neighbour has went on holiday, for maybe more than a week now, there may be the teenage son at home but I've not seen him.

Anyway, over the last few days the cat has been around more than usual, has been trying to get in the house and car, I've seen him trying to get in other houses too. He will even sit on our front step and stare at the door for ages. Tonight I was sorting dinner and he appeard at the open door, when I tried to stop him getting in I petted him and he could obviously smell the food and was very interested so now I'm wondering if he's hungry.

I don't really want to start feeding him in case the owner doesn't want that, I don't know if he has dietary requirements and if I start I know it will be hard to stop. But, he is lovely and I don't want him to be hungry as I don't know when they're back from holiday. I've watched for the son all day but haven't seen him yet.

Does anyone know if it would be a bad thing to put a bit of food out or if I should just leave him?

BitterAndTwisted

I'd feed it. But I'd also go over to the neighbours house and check whether anyone is home rather than just assuming that there isn't.

pigpen

I'd feed him... and mention to the neighbour he had been over for some loving when she gets back.. he may just be feeling neglected and wanting some cuddles and attention rahther than just wanting food... though a cat will eat until it bursts anyway!

SnowyOwl_2

Yeah, I'd feed the cat too, and mention it to the neighbour on their return. If the son had been in charge of feeding the cat and then not bothering half the time, then the parents would need to know.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I'd feed him as well - and mention it to them on their return, as Snowy says, the son might not be bothering to do it himself. Teenagers can be truly rubbish sometimes - on the other hand, he could indeed be feeding it but not giving him any affection because the cat's needs don't even cross his selfish teenage radar.

Or as Piggers says, he could be just trying it on - cats always have an eye out for the main chance, which enables them to spot a mug at a hundred paces!

spike7451

I'd feed him too like others have said.Could be the teenager has been told by his mates that the cat'll get fed by others so he/she's not bothering to look after him.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Ummm...just thinking...

All our replies.

Seems like we certainly know our place, don't we?

Their Royal Highnesses have trained us well!

fin7

When my neighbours go away I feed their 6 cats, thing I've noticed is a rule the cats are very rarely seen in the street but when the owners are away they're out and about a lot more and getting into a damn sight more mischief when I'm looking after them! I'd feed it but feed it on its own property cause if you feed it at yours it'll move in, lol

olias

I must say I disagree with virtually every post I have read.

I have had cats in the past, and I would be fuming if someone else took it upon themselves to feed them!

Cats are very fickle and a neighbour feeding a cat (particularly as that neighbour is likely to give 'better' food, like tuna, or chicken or something similar 'as a treat'), Is likely to make that cat eat less and less at home (particularly if it is less appetisizing dry food), and wander more and more in search of 'treats' from these neighbours.

One of our cats in particular used to spend less and less time at home, which saddened us, and always turned it's nose up at food, which we were always having to throw out (cost a fortune!). It turned out that a neighbour had began feeding it all sorts of expensive treats - fresh fish, chicken, tuna etc, so it was always around there. I was pi55ed off to say the least!

Also the cat might have allergies, or special dietry requirements, or need supplements or drugs added to it's food, which it would not now getting because it would not hungry when it gets home.

If you are worried, then go around to the house at a time when you know the son is likely to be in. Make numerous visits if you have to! If there is nobody in, then have a look if there is a cat flap at the front or rear, can you see into the kitchen? is there a food bowl there? Have a word with the immediate neighbour either side of them and voice your concerns and see if they know whats happening?

All these things are steps you should take before you should even think of going down the route of assuming its been abandoned and is not being fed.

Olias

snit_girl

Hi All, thought I'd better provide an update. thanks all for the suggestions

We spoke to the cat owners next door neighbour this morning and he has been feeding the cat and he has an electronic tag on so he can get in the house, the teenage son is away with his dad. He's been over today almost all day, hung around us in the garden and has been very friendly. I think he was just a bit lonely and after some petting, he is very sociable and when we went in tonight I saw him letting some kids pet him.

Glad my minds at ease now. He wasn't hungry at all, just after some company